Comments on: Is the Post Tower Destroying Seoul’s History? http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/ Korea... in Blog Format Tue, 7 Oct 2008 23:33:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: bulgasari http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109300 bulgasari Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:22:00 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109300 There seemed to be some small streets following the Taepyeongno route before it was built (widened?) by the Japanese (around 1912 I think). I believe one of the reasons (besides ease of moving troops up from Yongsan) for building it was that many people used to congregate/protest in front of Deoksugung's Daehanmun (gate) after it became the main gate (when Deoksugung was first built the south facing gate was the entrance). By turning the small streets into a major traffic artery, the Japanese could use this as an excuse to disperse crowds near the palace, especially after Gojong was deposed and basically held prisoner there for the rest of his life. There seemed to be some small streets following the Taepyeongno route before it was built (widened?) by the Japanese (around 1912 I think). I believe one of the reasons (besides ease of moving troops up from Yongsan) for building it was that many people used to congregate/protest in front of Deoksugung’s Daehanmun (gate) after it became the main gate (when Deoksugung was first built the south facing gate was the entrance). By turning the small streets into a major traffic artery, the Japanese could use this as an excuse to disperse crowds near the palace, especially after Gojong was deposed and basically held prisoner there for the rest of his life.

]]> By: sewing http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109250 sewing Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:05:56 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109250 As old as Sejongno (which led to Gyeongbok-gung), but much older than Taepyeongno. It was the main north-south artery in the city before the colonial government built Taepyeongno from Jongno Negeori south to Namdaemun. As old as Sejongno (which led to Gyeongbok-gung), but much older than Taepyeongno. It was the main north-south artery in the city before the colonial government built Taepyeongno from Jongno Negeori south to Namdaemun.

]]> By: sewing http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109248 sewing Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:03:32 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109248 I couldn't see the picture of the building on the linked Hani page. It's a useful reminder, though, that Namdaemun-no is good for a north-south walking tour through the city, being more ancient than Taepyeongno-Sejongno, narrower (and therefore less unsightly to a pedestrian), and of as much—if not more—historical interest, what with the Bank of Korea, Post Office, department stores, and the Jonggak belfry. I couldn’t see the picture of the building on the linked Hani page. It’s a useful reminder, though, that Namdaemun-no is good for a north-south walking tour through the city, being more ancient than Taepyeongno-Sejongno, narrower (and therefore less unsightly to a pedestrian), and of as much—if not more—historical interest, what with the Bank of Korea, Post Office, department stores, and the Jonggak belfry.

]]> By: sewing http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109239 sewing Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:52:28 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109239 #14/16: It seems to be a universal thing. The building here on east side of the Pacific Ocean that we're planning on moving into next year took ages to get the foundation done. We figured the building would never get completed. Once they started on the first floor, however, building the remaining floors took no time at all. ...And that's despite the fact that booming China seems to have a lock on building supplies! #14/16: It seems to be a universal thing. The building here on east side of the Pacific Ocean that we’re planning on moving into next year took ages to get the foundation done. We figured the building would never get completed. Once they started on the first floor, however, building the remaining floors took no time at all. …And that’s despite the fact that booming China seems to have a lock on building supplies!

]]> By: bulgasari http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109238 bulgasari Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:50:04 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109238 <em>It takes them forever to prepare and dig up the ground for the foundation and the basements. But when they are done, it takes them merely months to put up the above ground floors.</em> I've been <a href="http://populargusts.blogspot.com/2007/07/jaeil-jutaek-redevelopment-shots.html" rel="nofollow">photographing</a> the progress of an apartment building near my house from destruction of the old buildings in February until now, and it's proceeded much as you say. It's a small project with only one underground floor, and it took about half of the construction time before they began building above ground (it's now rising one floor per week); I imagine larger ones must spend much, much longer on the basement. It takes them forever to prepare and dig up the ground for the foundation and the basements. But when they are done, it takes them merely months to put up the above ground floors.

I’ve been photographing the progress of an apartment building near my house from destruction of the old buildings in February until now, and it’s proceeded much as you say. It’s a small project with only one underground floor, and it took about half of the construction time before they began building above ground (it’s now rising one floor per week); I imagine larger ones must spend much, much longer on the basement.

]]> By: MigukNamja http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109202 MigukNamja Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:45:19 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109202 I guess Koreans prefer "simple faceless boxes" over anything that looks different. I think it looks pretty cool. Seoul could certainly use a plethora of more interesting buildings rather than the mass of faceless boxes it has now. I guess Koreans prefer “simple faceless boxes” over anything that looks different.

I think it looks pretty cool. Seoul could certainly use a plethora of more interesting buildings rather than the mass of faceless boxes it has now.

]]> By: Mat96 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109100 Mat96 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:46:56 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109100 #11. Damn I've been outed! ;-) #11.

Damn I’ve been outed! ;-)

]]> By: mins0306 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109099 mins0306 Wed, 19 Sep 2007 08:22:44 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109099 #14. That's how construction companies here work. It takes them forever to prepare and dig up the ground for the foundation and the basements. But when they are done, it takes them merely months to put up the above ground floors. The reason for this may lie in the fact that the Korean construction companies drive their workers and subcons very hard (one day off per week, plus 15 hour days) in addition to the constant expediting of material deliveries to the point of threatening the material suppliers. But on the other hand cutting corners may be part of the equation. #14.

That’s how construction companies here work. It takes them forever to prepare and dig up the ground for the foundation and the basements. But when they are done, it takes them merely months to put up the above ground floors. The reason for this may lie in the fact that the Korean construction companies drive their workers and subcons very hard (one day off per week, plus 15 hour days) in addition to the constant expediting of material deliveries to the point of threatening the material suppliers. But on the other hand cutting corners may be part of the equation.

]]> By: Robert Koehler http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109095 Robert Koehler Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:46:52 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109095 <blockquote>I like new buildings mixed with old. That’s what makes Seoul north of the Han so nice.</blockquote> That's a good point --- the contrast between old and new can be quite stunning. And, I should point out, there appear to be nice balconies that offer cool photo ops of the neighborhood.

I like new buildings mixed with old. That’s what makes Seoul north of the Han so nice.

That’s a good point — the contrast between old and new can be quite stunning.

And, I should point out, there appear to be nice balconies that offer cool photo ops of the neighborhood.

]]> By: mjw http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109094 mjw Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:46:27 +0000 http://www.rjkoehler.com/2007/09/19/is-the-post-tower-destroying-seouls-history/#comment-109094 I AGREE WITH MINS! The building looks nice. But the thing is.. they built it waaaay too fast. There is another one going up by me, i think it's the kumho/asiana building, by kwangwhamun (next to 흥국생명빌딩). It is taller than the Post Tower, perhaps not as unique, but certainly a nice design. Like the Post Tower, however, it has gone up in less than 12 months. We're talking a 20+ story building that has gone from hole in ground to all the glass on in about 8-9 months. Something's not right there.... I AGREE WITH MINS!

The building looks nice. But the thing is.. they built it waaaay too fast. There is another one going up by me, i think it’s the kumho/asiana building, by kwangwhamun (next to 흥국생명빌딩). It is taller than the Post Tower, perhaps not as unique, but certainly a nice design. Like the Post Tower, however, it has gone up in less than 12 months. We’re talking a 20+ story building that has gone from hole in ground to all the glass on in about 8-9 months. Something’s not right there….

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